These brothers have been helping planes depart for four decades

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (InvestigateTV) — Brothers Bobby and Lance Snyder have a combined eight decades of service with American Airlines at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

They help make sure planes arrive and depart safely and on time at the airline’s second-largest hub. Their commitment is inspiring their younger co-workers.

From Johnson City to the ramp

Bobby Snyder said the brothers grew up in the Johnson City area, close to the Tri-Cities Airport.

“A friend of ours and his dad, they lived beside of us. We used to go out to the airport,” Bobby Snyder said.

Lance Snyder said he has memories of going to the airport as a child and cleaning overnighters.

“Back then, the big thing was getting peanuts off the airplane and maybe finding some pennies or nickels, you know, as we would clean the airplanes,” Lance Snyder said.

Bobby Snyder said that experience drew him to wanting to work for the airline. In 1986, he came to Charlotte and put a resume in to Piedmont Airlines. He was hired the next week.

Lance Snyder said he followed his brother to Charlotte nine months later, taking the same route and applying for a job at the airline.

Bobby Snyder said he started at the freight house in air freight, delivering freight to the gates. He said he wanted to work on the ramp and moved there in 1987. He has worked on the ramp since.

Lance Snyder said his early duties included unloading and loading airplanes, parking and pushing.

“A lot of the same things that we do today. Just loved it,” Lance Snyder said.

Work as crew chiefs

Both brothers are crew chiefs. Bobby Snyder said he has a crew of three, and the brothers work together all day.

Lance Snyder said the crew prepares for arrivals and departures.

“We’re just getting prepared for arrivals and departures, kind of looking ahead and seeing what’s coming off the airplane, what needs to be unloaded, just making sure our crew is in the right place,” Lance Snyder said.

Bobby Snyder described the work as a team effort. He said typically three to four workers, called runners, are assigned to run each flight, along with a crew of three.

“We have to do the water and air and power. And it all just happens. And it’s got to happen quick, like within just a couple of minutes’ time,” Bobby Snyder said.

He said the doors must be shut four or five minutes before departure to get the plane out on time.

“The main thing is we want to keep our passengers happy. Getting their bags, it’s our responsibility to make sure all that works and works in a timely manner,” Bobby Snyder said.

Working with younger co-workers

Lance Snyder said he still enjoys working and being around people. He said the makeup of the workforce has changed.

“Everybody used to be our age and older. Now everybody’s younger. But that’s been a real blessing too, getting to work with young people, getting to work with people from all over the world, and just learning different cultures,” Lance Snyder said.

He said he hopes to be “a bright light” to co-workers and to encourage them. He said he sometimes gets to be “a little bit of a father figure to some.”

Recognition for service

In February 2026, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority honored the brothers with the Unsung Heroes Award for their decades of dedication to the job.

“They have a lot of passion for what they do, they also help mentor lots of team members who are working here today,” said Cesar Marchese, American Airlines CLT customer operations managing director.

Luggage tips for travelers

An airport official said travelers who want to help baggage handlers keep luggage on time should remove any loose straps from their bags.

The official said travelers should also try not to keep the luggage tag on the same handle as the airline bag tag so the system can clearly see the barcodes.